"He will give you another Advocate to be with you always"

This week, the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Readings move us forward in our consideration of the Easter Mystery. We move from the contemplation of Christ's appearances after the resurrection over the last few Sundays to a meditation on the continued presence of Christ in the Church through the Holy Spirit.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 25, 2014 (6EasterA)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings  
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: What does the Holy Spirit do in your life?

--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------
First Reading
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 8, Verses 5-8, 14-17

1. In last week’s Gospel we listened to Philip ask for help with his belief. This week he has the city of Samaria high with “great joy.” What do you think caused the change? Why did the crowds “pay attention” to what Philip was saying? What gets your attention in spiritual matters?

2. The Samaritans saw many signs. What are the signs of the presence of God in your life? Do any signs fill you with joy?

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 66: 1-7, 16, 20

1. The Psalm says, 'Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.' This is in response to the tremendous deeds of God.' Have you seen the works of God in your life? Explain.

2. Our psalmist says 'Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare what he has done for me.' Have you given witness to what God has done for you? Give an example of how His presence has transformed you. 

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Peter, Chapter 3, Verses 15-18

1. Explain how Christ is a reason for your hope.

2. How does suffering for the sake of truth make us like Christ? How does suffering help us know Christ? What does “suffering for the sake of truth,” mean to you? Give an example of someone who suffers like this today.

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 14, Verses 15-21

1. Do you think you can understand the mysteries of God and how God works in your life simply by studying or reading or discussing? What else does it take? What/Who enables you to recognize the signs in the First Reading?

2. “Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” Explain how and why you think this quotation works. How does love impact knowledge and understanding in any friendship?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share below your reflections on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing. 
--

"I am the way and the truth and the life."

This Sunday's Gospel text is taken from St. John's account of the Last Supper. That the Church gives us this Last Supper discourse of Jesus for an Easter Season Eucharist is illuminative. These words are spoken to us now by the Risen Lord, truly alive and present in our midst. In this gospel we find things that Jesus taught before his death beautifully combined with John's inspired interpretation of these teachings, written in full confidence of guidance by the Spirit of Jesus (Jn 16:13).

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 18, 2014 (5EasterA)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings  
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: How Catholic are you? Take the Quiz

--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------

First Reading
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 6, Verses 1-7

1. How did the new Christian community solve the problem of neglected widows? Did the twelve decide to forego prayer and the ministry of the word in order to help them? “Faith finds its expression in good works, and good works in turn builds faith.” How does the story in this reading illustrate this statement by Aelred Rosser?

2. How did the Church make changes to meet the needs of the times? How important is the ability to make changes? How might this kind of thinking impact the Church today?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 33: 1-2, 4-5, 18-19

1. This week's Response is, "Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you." When you place your trust in the Lord, do you become like one of His sheep? Are you then
dependent on His grace and protection? Explain.

2. The Psalm says that the Lord will preserve us in spite of famine. The psalmist here may be speaking more about spiritual famine, instead of physical hunger. Have you ever gone through a time of spiritual hunger? Explain.

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Peter, Chapter 2, Verses 4-9

1. Discuss ways that you have found Christ to be both a stone foundation and a stumbling block in your faith journey.

2. You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own,” the reading says. How do you announce the praises of “him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light”?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 14, Verses 1-12

1. Jesus says, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” What does that statement mean to you? Philip wanted a clearer explanation of who the Father is. Can you relate to that? How did Jesus say we can know the Father?

2. The disciples didn’t want Jesus to leave. Can you relate to this desire to be with the people you love? How is human love a reflection of divine love or a participation in it?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share below your reflections on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.

"I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved."

We may misunderstand the voice of God, the shepherd, ignore it, resist it, button our ears to it, but in our moments of sane and solitary wholeness—or maybe in our times of trouble—our spirits pulse to the rhythm of that voice. It resounds within us. If we are going to be anybody's sheep, then let it be Christ's. 

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 11, 2014 (4EasterA)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings  
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Should Christians perform the sign of the cross?
--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------

First Reading
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2, Verses 14a, 36-41

1. The people listening to Peter’s sermon were “cut to the heart” with remorse. What cuts you to the heart? The listeners asked, “Brothers, what should we do?” What action did they take? With what kinds of actions do you respond?

2. Define conversion. Is conversion a once-in-a-lifetime experience? Explain. Who needs conversion? Does conversion involve only a change of behaviors?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 23: 1-6

1. If you are one of his sheep, your shepherd will guide you beside restful waters, according to the Psalm. Do you think the analogy of sheep and shepherd is a good one to apply to the relationship your have with the Lord? Why?

2. It is said that David wrote this Psalm on his deathbed. Do you believe the Psalm would be a source of peace for a person facing death? If so, why?

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Peter, Chapter 2, Verses 20b-25

1.Christ’s innocence and lack of vengeance show us what God’s love is like. Does he leave you an example to follow? How can suffering be an occasion of grace?

2. Peter is referring to a kind of suffering that is inflicted on a person for doing something good. Give examples in which this has been the case. Have you had this experience?

Gospel
According to John, Chapter 10, Verses 1-10

1. Flocks would recognize the sound of the shepherd’s voice and come to him, ignoring other shepherds’ voices. In your life can you discern which “voice” belongs to the Good Shepherd? Which of the following is your favorite comparison of Christ to a good shepherd: calling by name, recognition of voice, following the shepherd, not following strangers, shepherd as the gate?

2. The shepherd gathers his sheep into a secure place with one opening and no door. He protects the sheep by lying across the gateway. Is Christ, the Good Shepherd, like this? Can you feel the security of being guarded in this way?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share below your thoughts on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing. 
--

"Were not our hearts burning within us"

The stranger on the road to Emmaus takes the skepticism and curiosity of the disciples and weaves them into the fabric of the Scripture. Jesus challenges them to reinterpret the events of the past days in light of the Scriptures. During the meal He recreated the Last Supper. He took bread, blessed it and gave it to them. And they recognized Him in the breaking of the break, the first Christian name for the Eucharist.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Third Sunday of Easter, May 4, 2014 (3EasterA)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings  
Podcast of the Readings 
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Is the Mass a Eucharistic Banquet or a Holy Sacrifice

--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
--------------------------------------------

First Reading
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2, Verses 14, 22-33

1. Can you see how different Peter’s attitude is in this reading than it was during Jesus’ passion and death? To what do you attribute the change? Can you apply your answer to yourself? In other words, could such a change take place in you?

2. Through the centuries, certain Catholics and Christians have in fact condemned and even persecuted the Jewish people. Some have used Peter’s words as a reason: “This man . . . you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.” Do you see that in this reading that it was God’s plan for Jesus to die, and then to rise again, and that therefore the Jews remain the chosen people of God?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 16:  1-2, 5, 7-11

1.  This Psalm alludes to the resurrection of our Lord, who although He descended to the netherworld, came out freely, without undergoing corruption.  Why do you think our Lord had to undergo this journey, and what does his rising unspoiled mean for us?

2.  The psalmist refers to the Lord as his allotted portion and his cup.  Do you see here a reference to the Lord as our source of blessings and salvation?   Describe how you would apply the Lord's portion and His cup to your life.

Second Reading
First Letter of St. Peter, Chapter 1, Verses 17-21

1. In this quotation from the his first letter, Peter speaks of Christ as having been known before the foundation of the world!. Why has such an infinite one been revealed to us, according to Peter?

2. This Second Reading has been called a sermon on hope. Why do you think that is? Do you find it hopeful??

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 24, Verses 13-35

1. Can you relate to any of these in the Gospel story: Confusion of the disciples? Inability to recognize Jesus? Desire to spend more time with a good friend? Sudden realization that the Lord is present?

2. Why were their hearts “burning within them” as they listened? Does your heart ever react to Jesus this way?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your reflections on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing. 
--